MARTIN DUBRAVKA and Joe Willock have been passed fit to start Newcastle United's FA Cup fifth-round game at Blackburn Rovers this evening.

But there is no place in the team for Sven Botman, who is absent from the matchday squad after struggling in Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal.

Dubravka returns in goal, having recovered from the illness issue that prevented him from playing at the Emirates, with Loris Karius dropping down to the bench.

Jamaal Lascelles replaces Botman at centre-half, with Dan Burn getting the nod to return at left-back ahead of Tino Livramento.

Willock returns as part of the midfield three, replacing Lewis Miley, who is named amongst the substitutes.

And with Eddie Howe making five changes for this evening's game, Jacob Murphy comes into the team in the right-attacking position, having been preferred to Miguel Almiron.

This evening's game must be settled on the night, with extra-time and penalties if needed, as Newcastle look to make the FA Cup quarter-finals.


BLACKBURN (3-4-2-1): Pears; Hyam, McFadzean, Wharton; Brittain, Buckley, Moran, Chrisene; Szmodics, Dolan; Gallagher.

Subs: Wahlstedt, Koumetio, Pickering, Garrett, Finneran, Sigurdsson, Ayari, Markanday, Telalovic.


NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Lascelles, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; J Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Karius, Ritchie, Barnes, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Almiron, Anderson, Miley.